The leader of the Boko Haram sect, Malam Abubakar Shekau has threatened to unleash more terror attacks on Nigeria. In a new video message that was circulated on Monday, hours after the massacre of more than 44 worshippers in a mosque in Konduga, Borno State, Shekau who spoke in Hausa language boasted that his group is now capable of attacking the United States.

In the video, Shekau who dismissed claims that the JTF was having the upper hand in the war against terror said “you soldiers have claimed that you are powerful, that we have been defeated, that we are mad people. But how can a mad man successfully coordinate recent attacks in Gamboru, in Malam Fatori, slaughter people in Biu, kill in Gwoza and in Bama, where soldiers fled under our heavy fire power? We have killed countless soldiers and we are going to kill more.”

Daring the Nigerian forces, Shekau said “our strength and firepower has surpassed that of Nigeria. We can now comfortably confront the United States of America.”

The Boko Haram leader also accused Nigerian military forces of “lying to the world.” The statement was apparently in reference to the August 4 attack on a military base in Malam Fatori and a police formation in Bama, in which the JTF Spokesman, Lt Col Sagir Musa issued a statement that 32 terrorists, 2 soldiers and one policeman lost their lives. A new twist however emerged when the Borno State Governor, Ibrahim Shettima visited the JTF base to commiserate with them and the Commander, Maj Gen Jah Ewansiah disclosed that 12 soldiers and 7 policemen were killed in the attack.

They lied that they have killed our members, but we are the ones that have killed the soldiers,” he said. The video also put paid to speculations that Malam Shekau has been deposed as the leader of the sect and shot by his members.

On Sunday, suspected Islamic militants wearing army fatigues which were apparently seized during the recent attack on a military base, stormed a mosque in Konduga, about 35 km from Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State and shot 44 people dead while they were observing morning prayers. Security agents also confirmed that another 12 people were also killed in another attack by suspected members of the sect in Ngom, a village 5 kilometres from Maiduguri. .

4 members of the Civilian JTF, a civilian anti-terrorism group were also shot down as they tried to confront members of the sect in Konduga.

Since the state of emergency declared in May, military forces have engaged the terrorists in a battle for control of some of the areas known to be strongholds of the Boko Haram sect.